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McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

You know things are getting serious when McLaren rolls-out the ‘1’ suffix. The origin story is, of course, the very first road car McLaren ever built, the F1. Designed by visionary Formula 1 aerodynamicist and engineer Gordon Murray, it arrived in 1992 and rendered all other supercars obsolete. The tiny, lightweight F1 embraced carbon-fibre material technology, adopted a radical centre seat driving position with two passengers set back and either side and was powered by a 6.1-litre V12 engine from BMW that might as well have been passed down directly from the Gods. Game-changer? That doesn’t even come close to describing its impact, even if at the time sales didn’t come easy… The P1 was very different. Rather than a unique side project from the Formula 1 team, it was instead a statement piece for McLaren Automotive, a new road car division still in its infancy. It arrived in 2013 and was a wild-eyed showstopper. It traded the long-legged gait and supple suspension of the F1 for a weaponized hybrid system capable of delivering 903bhp and huge blue flames from its drainpipe exhaust. In Race mode, it lowered by 2-inches and its massive concave rear wing extended into the sky. The P1 was all about aerodynamic downforce, crazed acceleration and a snorting, angry soundtrack that mixed venomous twin-turbocharged V8 with the manic whirr of electric motors. Not so much a car as a force of nature. And now there’s this: The W1. It’s a true successor to the P1 with a similar brief and, on the face of it, it evolves rather than radically reinvents McLaren’s vision for the ultimate hypercar. This is not a criticism. How could it be when the result is this dramatic and has such staggering, other-worldly potential? The W1 has 1258bhp delivered to the rear wheels. It’s capable of 0-124 mph in 5.8-seconds, the quarter mile in 9.6-seconds at 167 mph and produces 2205lbs of downforce at 174 mph. The active aerodynamics – particularly a rear wing that extends way out beyond the rear of the car – are pure performance art and deliver massive aerodynamic efficiency. The result, aside from looking extremely cool, is that the W1 is McLaren’s fastest road car around a racetrack. Ever. Their benchmark circuit is the breath-taking Handling Track at the Nardo proving ground in southern Italy, where the W1 beats their previous benchmark, the flyweight McLaren Senna, by three seconds per lap. Or “a lifetime” as they call it in racing. Maybe two lifetimes! Core to the W1’s performance is the new ‘Aerocell’ carbon fibre tub. With integrated seats and a raised footwell to allow for inboard pushrod-operated front suspension – which in turn gives air a clean path to the huge underbody diffuser – it’s light, stiff, space efficient and has been instrumental in McLaren realising a full ground-effect concept. Just like last year’s F1 cars, which were the fastest ever made. There is also an active front wing and the aforementioned complex rear wing dubbed ‘Active Long Tail’. All of which is very admirable. But the ‘anhedral’ or gullwing doors and the fantastically shirnked-wrapped feel to the minimalist, highly-focussed interior are a pretty good side effect. The W1 feels special. Those fixed seats are perhaps a shade more upright than expected, and the driving position is less obviously racecar than, for example, the Aston Martin Valhalla or Ferrari F80. However, once you’ve adjusted the pedals (they move on a slider) and the delicate, slim-rimmed and alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, there’s an overwhelming sense of purpose. The cabin is so tightly tailored and imparts a sense of lightness and agility before you so much as start the all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which makes 916bhp all on its own and revs to 9200rpm. Reach up to a roof-mounted control panel to find the starter button. Maybe this fighter plane trope is a little corny, but somehow you feel thrilled rather than manipulated. The W1 has a sense of humour as well as all that motorsport-derived sophistication. There’s a short delay, but when the engine does fire it’s instant – as the high-powered hybrid system negates the need for an old-school starter motor. A sharp flare of revs tells you that this engine is hyper-responsive and angry. On some deep level your brain and body have been sent all the signals required to prepare for something new and intense. Ahead of us, an empty Mugello racetrack, so press and hold the blue button next to the red starter to select Race mode. The centre display graphic shows the W1’s transformation in real time as it lowers by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear whilst simultaneously undocking all that active aero goodness. Race mode is not road legal and is geo-locked. You can show your friends and neighbours the aero dance, but it won’t allow you to select a gear to actually drive unless you’re at a circuit. Incidentally, the rocker switches either side of the display binnacle allow further options now: Toggle up the Handling control on the left for Race+ (for F1-spec super smooth tracks) or stick to Race for gnarlier ones. On the right toggle select ‘GP’ for sustained performance over a stint or ‘Sprint’ to unleash all 1258bhp for a time attack. There’s also a DRS and Boost function on the steering wheel. But I guarantee you won’t have the mental capacity to use them… Exit the pitlane, pin the throttle and W1 takes maybe a millisecond or two to gather its might (the gearing stretches to around 60mph in first, nearly 100mph in second, primarily to aid traction), but then lunges at the first turn with incredible ferocity. It instantly feels light, almost like inertia is no longer a thing. McLaren really does prize lightweight engineering, and at 3084lbs (dry) the W1 has a 278lbs advantage over the Ferrari F80. Plus, Ferrari uses figures for cars fitted with every single carbon fibre option. In reality, the gap is probably wider still. The impression of agility and stunning control continues as the track is unravelled at startling pace. The electric motor mounted to the side of the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is good for 342bhp and 324lb ft and it boosts any low rev lethargy the new flat-plane crank V8 might have (spoiler alert: It doesn’t appear to have any), so the W1 just feels massively, almost impossibly powerful at any revs. Even so, there’s real reward for wringing it out to 9200rpm and the power curve feels superheated but organic, too. In Race mode the steering – still hydraulically powered – has less assistance and it is noticeably heavier than other McLarens. However, that resistance is welcome as it gives you something to push against and imparts so much information about the front grip level. New Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres with a bigger front footprint than P1 or Senna really help. The front-end feels incredibly secure and the rear-axle follows with perfectly-aligned precision. The whole car feels super-stiff, completely locked into the surface and inspires confidence, but there’s an inherent agility and adjustability that means you’re quickly confident to push at its limits and really impose yourself on the chassis. It’s such a complex car but the driving experience is intuitive, and the driver feels a key contributor rather than just amazed (or terrified) observer, holding on for dear life. Every dynamic ingredient really is shockingly effective and yet has a subtlety and lightness of touch. From that delicious steering to the incredible brakes, the W1 just feels so mission-focussed, so hooked-up. Only the new 8-speed gearbox is a slightly disappointment. It’s fast and punchy, but after the scintillating energy of the Ferrari F80 ’box it feels competent rather than inspired. Other quibbles – it’s okay to quibble when the starting price is $2.1-million before tax and destination charge. Well, that new twin-turbocharged V8 sounds tightly wound and aggressive but if you have a P1 tucked in the garage you’ll miss the snorting, Darth Vader-style soundscape and all the drama that goes with it. Ferrari does this better, too. The F80 sounds deathly dull from the outside but is a riot of turbochargers, electric motors and all sorts of mechanical fury within the cockpit. Even so, the W1 is wildly entertaining on track, and the rear-drive configuration makes it more of a challenge and more satisfying than the F80 when chasing lap times or just sliding around for fun. In the Ferrari, you must second-guess what the front e-axle might do, whereas in the W1 it’s all on you. There are plenty of tools to help, including the ingenious Variable Drift Control, but somehow the W1 is more heroic. Or at least fools you into feeling more heroic – which is surely the point! On the road? Nimble, loaded with feel and sublime response. The ride is noticeably tougher than, say, a 750S but the control is ramped-up too, and with a bit more speed the whole car finds a delicious rhythm. Sport mode for the drivetrain brings some nice turbo whooshes and chirps, but the noise remains high-quality rather than extreme excitement. It is perhaps the one area the W1 feels just a little too tame. Of course, there’s nothing tame about the raw performance… which is genuinely shocking and literally hurts your neck muscles after a few hours. How McLaren has given the W1 such immense traction through just two driven wheels is beyond me. So, is it worthy of that ‘1’? I think so. Perhaps we won’t be talking about $25-million auction results for the W1 in 30 years from now, as we are for the F1. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the amazing presence and jaw-dropping star quality of the simply gorgeous P1. But it is such an intense experience and the way it marries stunning track performance with delicate poise and entertainment on normal roads is something akin to magic. Maybe not ‘the one’ but definitely a searing, outrageous addition to McLaren’s fiercest family line. Just 399 W1’s will be built and they’re all sold. I’m not surprised at all. View All McLarens For Sale Images: McLaren Automotive

By Jordan Aquistapace – December 06, 2023

Watch Hoonigan's Electrikhana TWO: Ken Block's Electrifyi...

The Hoonigan team releases Electrikhana TWO, showcasing Ken Block's thrilling electric drive through Mexico City with the Audi S1 Hoonitron. In November 2022, the automotive world watched as Ken Block and the Hoonigan team ventured to Mexico City to film "Electrikhana TWO" with the Audi S1 Hoonitron. The project, temporarily deferred due to Block's untimely passing, has now been released on the Hoonigan YouTube channel, marking a fitting tribute to the late rally legend. Electrikhana TWO is an homage to Block, The Hoonigans, and Audi's pioneering spirit in the performance EV realm. The film showcases Block’s renowned, rally-inspired driving style as he maneuvers through Mexico City's iconic landmarks. Following lessons from the first Electrikhana film in Las Vegas, Block and Audi made significant improvements to the S1 Hoonitron, particularly upgrading its drivetrain to Block's aggressive yet precise driving style. One of the standout features in this new race chassis is the 'simulated gears' technology. This innovation, resembling a digital gearbox, allows for controlled levels of wheel speed, achieved through paddle shifters. The film also explores unexplored EV drivetrain capabilities like opposite-driven wheels for stationary AWD burnouts, on-demand switching between all-wheel and rear-wheel drive, and differential tuning for improved chassis balance. Additionally, the ability to shift into reverse at any speed is a groundbreaking feature showcased in the film. Electrikhana TWO takes viewers on a breathtaking journey, starting from Plaza de Toros, the world's largest bullring, and weaving through Mexico City's landmarks, including the Museo Soumaya and Benito Juárez International Airport. This latest Hoonigan upload honors Ken Block's legacy while showcasing the thrilling potential of electric performance vehicles. Shop all Electrikhana TWO gear from Hoonigan by clicking the link below. Shop Hoonigan's Electrikhana TWO Gear Source: Hoonigan YouTube

By Tyler Rampersaud – March 01, 2022

Ken Block's New Audi RS e-tron GT Makes Molehills Out of ...

It’s never too late to show off your dream winter wheels. In a mythical, all-white getup, Ken Block’s new Audi RS e-tron GT looks just like the expanses of snow that it is going to be the ultimate car to drive in. Its subtle, elegant look is completed with white wheels from Rotiform, which sit close to the rest of the car thanks to its adjustable ride-height suspension that allows the RS e-tron GT to go from sporting stunning lowrider looks to being a capable performer in the snow with plenty of ground clearance at just the touch of a button. MUST READ: Ken Block Launches the Audi RS Q e-tron Into the Icy Air Its understated beauty is somewhat deceiving, because what Audi has in store with the RS e-tron GT is a stunning 637 horsepower and 612 lb/ft of torque, making it the world’s fastest Audi RS car. With world-famous Gymkhana and rally driver Ken Block behind the wheel, the RS e-tron GT is going to get lots of snow and mountain action. The look and performance of the car pay homage to Audi’s rally legacy with cars like the Quattro sport and Ken Block’s own S1 Hoonitron, and being electric, it improves on cars like the Quattro by not needing oxygen to deliver power, meaning that altitude is not a concern the way it used to be. While the season is ending soon, Ken Block’s Audi RS e-tron GT has got to be the ultimate winter machine. " width="680">

By Edward Jones – February 11, 2022

Ken Block Launches the Audi RS Q e-tron Into the Icy Air

He's definitely enjoying his time with Audi. After the Audi RS Q e-tron made its debut at the Dakar Rally, the electric off-road race car made its way to Zell am See in Austria for the GP Ice Race. While there, the Audi was through the ice-cold course courtesy of Ken Block. “The laps in the Audi RS Q e-tron were a phenomenal experience – even though the car probably feels more comfortable in the desert than in the snow,” said Ken Block. “Thanks to Mattias Ekström, who patiently explained all the special features of his car to me. A few minutes behind the wheel was enough to understand the fascination of this car.” ALSO READ - Ken Block’s Hoonicorn Mustang Price & Specs Block also had the chance to take the classic Audi Quattro A2 rally car around the circuit. This was the kind of Audi rally car that inspired Block as a teenager, so this surely won't be a memory that he will forget any time soon. You can see Block behind the wheel of the RS Q e-tron in the video up above for yourself. Audi RS Q e-tron #224 (Team Audi Sport), Mattias Ekström Source: Audi

By Edward Jones – December 15, 2021

Ken Block's New Hoonitron from Audi Finally Revealed

Goodbye Hoonicorn, hello Hoonitron. When Ken Block announced a partnership with Audi, the world knew to expect a wild creation from the German automaker that would rival the Hoonicorn. We now know what the creation is and it's called the Audi S1 e-tron quattro Hoonitron, or just the Hoonitron. This new wild and one-of-a-kind electric Audi used the iconic Sport quattro S1 as a frame of reference, and you can see the similarities in the design. From the massive front wing to the equally impressive rear wing and short wheelbase, the new Hoonitron is a wonderfully modern interpretation of a legend. Block and Audi Design spent just four weeks designing the Hoonitron, and they managed to create a stunner of a vehicle in that short span of time. In regards to it's power, it features two electric motors that provide power to all four wheels. Block has also had the chance to test drive the car. "Audi gave me the opportunity to test it for a few days in Germany," said Ken Block. "I’m familiar with a wide variety of cars using internal combustion engines and transmissions, but there were a lot of new things for me to learn here. Spinning into a donut at 150 km/h directly from standstill – just using my right foot – is an all-new experience for me." While we haven't seen the car in action just yet, we will in the upcoming "Elektrikhana" film, which will be the next video in the Gymkhana series. Stay tuned for more news regarding Block and his adventures with the Hoonitron. Source: Audi

By Edward Jones – October 06, 2021

See Ken Block Drive the Electric Audi e-tron Vision GT Co...

Never thought we'd see this happen, that's for sure. We know that Ken Block is a master of driving cars powered by internal combustion engines. But, what about electric race cars? Block gave us the answer to that question in his most recent video where he test out the insane electric Audi e-tron Vision GT concept race car. It's honestly wild that this moment happened considering that the e-tron Vision GT was made for a video game and it's rare that automakers create real-life versions of digital concepts. What's more, the fact that Block was able to drive it during his visit to Ingolstadt, Germany is also wild. Granted, this is just one of the many perks that Block now has since he partnered with Audi. Click play up above to see Block rip the three-motor electric race car, as well as an Audi V8 DTM Car around the track. Also, if you haven't check it out, you should see him take the Group B Sport Quattro S1 E2 out for a spin. Audi R8s For Sale Source: Ken Block/YouTube

By Edward Jones – September 22, 2021

Ken Block Joins Forces With Audi

Can we please see him drive the Audi RS Q e-tron? Ken Block and Audi have just announced a new and exciting partnership that will have the famous rally driver in a much more electrified position. Block will be aiding Audi in their future electric mobility department and will be launching exclusive projects in the future. While he may be known for driving so many race cars with internal combustion engines, like the Hoonicorn, he will be looking towards the future of electrified vehicles. “Electric mobility is the future”, says Block. “I see the electric car as a leap forward for us as a society in order to create something that can not only reduce emissions and hopefully make the planet a better place. But not only that: it’s also about performance. I love anything that makes me go faster. Electric cars can do that. And as far as sound goes, I have kids who don’t care about that. They think that the sound of electric cars is just as cool as the sound of internal combustion engines.” Be sure to keep an eye out for more from Ken Block and Audi in the future. Browse Audi e-trons For Sale Source: Audi

By Edward Jones – December 17, 2019

Real Madrid Players Receive Their Free Audi Club Cars

One of the great benefits of being on a successful team like Real Madrid is getting free stuff from sponsors. It just so happens to be that one of their sponsors is Audi and that means, yes, they get free cars to drive around. Technically, these are club cars that they will be driving for official business but still... not bad. Real Madrid recently uploaded a video of the delivery, showing Eden Hazard, Sergio Ramos, Karim Benzema and more receiving their cars at Ciudad Real Madrid. You can check that down below. Also found below is a partial list of the cars that the players received. Eden Hazard: Audi Q8 Zinedine Zidane: Audi RS3 Sportback Sergio Ramos: Audi A8 Marcelo Vieira: Audi A7 Karim Benzema: Audi RS3 Sportback Raphael Varane: e-tron R Gareth Bale: Audi Q7 Luka Modric: Audi Q7 Nacho Fernandez: Audi Q8 Toni Kroos: Audi Q8 Carlos Casemiro: Audi Q7 James Rodriguez: Audi Q8 Dani Carvajal: Audi Q8 " width="680"> Source: RealMadrid.com

By Edward Jones – April 23, 2019

Robert Downey Jr. Pulls Up to "Avengers: Endgame" Premier...

Robert Downey Jr. has been gracing the big screen as Iron Man for over a decade and following him along the way are a wide variety of Audi models. This includes the R8 and even the new e-tron GT. This new model is a fully electric sedan that follows the e-tron SUV in its effort to pave the way for a more electrified Audi lineup. RDJ was on -hand for the e-tron GT's premiere and it seems to have followed him to the "Avengers: Endgame" premiere. Source Even though this could possibly be the last time we see RDJ in an Avengers film, he's still rocking an Audi. However, I still think the best car in Iron Man's collection is the Saleen S7. The man definitely has great taste in cars. see all audis for sale Source

By Edward Jones – December 10, 2018

Tony Stark and Iron Man's Car Collection Over The Years

The inception of the Marvel movie craze, in my opinion, was the very first Iron Man movie, starring the one and only Robert Downey Jr. Released on May 2, 2008, the first movie netted over $580 million at the worldwide box office and become an instant hit. Two years later, Iron Man 2 was released and Iron Man 3 followed in 2013. Each of the movies was more than successful and introduced us to the invincible Iron Man. In these movies, Tony Stark, the man underneath the metal suit, is played by Downey Jr. To say he does a great job of playing the wealthy, sarcastic, and sometimes brash hero is an understatement. From beginning to end, the attitude and style of the Iron Man found in the comic book is portrayed with fantastic accuracy. Of course, praise could also be given to the directors and casting crew. It's these same directors who realized that a man like Stark should not only be played by a fitting actor, but he should also be driving the right cars. From the very first movie, it's made clear that the cinematic Iron Man would be known for his extensive car collection. Iron Man 1 In the first movie, audiences were introduced to the hero's Audi R8. After the movie's release, the R8 became synonymous with the hero. In fact, I heard many people refer to the car as "the car Iron Man drives." Joining the German sports car in the hero's garage was a slew of other cars, including a Shelby Cobra, Saleen S7, Tesla Roadster and a 1932 Ford Flathead Roadster. Iron Man 2 Appearing in the sequel was the new R8 Spyder, which is shown just a few minutes into the movie. Also making an appearance was the Ford Flathead from the first movie. However, it seems that after the first movie Stark decided to either sell a few cars or house them in a garage where they were kept out of harm's way. Iron Man 3 The most successful out of the Iron Man movies was by far the third one, grossing over $1 billion at the worldwide box office. Stark's starring car in this movie was his new R8 e-tron, with a Bugatti Veyron Supersport making a brief appearance. Photo by Charley Gallay/WireImage via Audi The Avengers One movie that the entire world had been waiting for in 2012 was the massive blockbuster known as The Avengers. In this movie Iron, Captain America, Hawkeye, Thor, Black Widow, and Hulk all came together for the first time to kick some alien butt. Of course, Stark couldn't go a movie without a flashy car, so he opted for an Acura NSX concept car. Looking back on this car, you can see the differences between it and the production version. The Avengers: Age of Ultron Acting as a sequel to the first Avengers movie, The Avengers: Age of Ultron centered around one of Stark's creations, Ultron, who sought to render humans extinct. Even in such a perilous scene Stark still had time to make a scene in his brand new, redesigned Audi R8. Captain America: Civil War In 2016, we got to see Iron Man and his team of heroes take on Captain America and his team in the film Captain America: Civil War. In this film, Stark drove yet another Audi R8. Copyright: Getty Images for Audi Spider-Man: Homecoming For the reboot of Spider-Man, starring Tom Hollands as the web-slinging superhero, Tony Stark drove a new Audi A8. For the world premiere of the film, Spidey rode on top of a camouflaged A8 as it had not been unveiled yet. Robert Downey Jr. and John Favreau showed up in an R8 Spyder. " width="680"> Avengers: Endgame For the upcoming film, and possibly the last one for Robert Downey Jr as Iron Man, we're not sure what cars will be showing up. However, RDJ did recently help unveil the new Audi e-tron GT Concept car and noted that he had already driven the car as Tony Stark in the film.

By Edward Jones – February 23, 2018

Jon Olsson Introduces "Phoenix," His New RS6+

Update: Added the VLOG down below. Check out that serious two-tone!It was just under three years ago that two armed criminals broke into Jon Olsson's garage and stole his Audi RS6 DTM. His hopes of having the car found and returned to him were dashed when it was discovered that the car had been burned to the ground.But from the ashes rise Pheonix, his new Audi RS6+. In an Instagram post from early this morning, Olsson introduced the world to the car. In the post's caption, he notes that he had been wanting to build another RS6 ever since he lost his last one.https://www.instagram.com/p/BfdtPuDAxwg/?hl=en&taken-by=jonolsson1

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